Thursday Tidbits
Domaine Pouillon brings Saturday Suppers back with amazing dishes, including Spaghetti + housemade sausage meatballs in slow-simmered marinara.
Gift Card Deals
Baseline Biscuits can be added to the list of Gift Card Specials happening around town. They join Apple Valley BBQ and Mt. Hood Creamery in offering 25% off gift cards (and all shirts, hats, and mugs) through December 21. (Gift cards are valid at all three locations on one card.)
Freebridge Brewing is also offering a gift card deal: Save 20% on all gift cards over $50 now through December 24.
If you missed last week’s roundup of holiday gift card specials, give it a peek to see who else is offering great deals.
Around the Gorge This Week
Crush Cider Café
Their newest winter release is here: Apple–Cranberry–Cinnamon Cider, made with Hood River Valley dessert apples, tart NW cranberries, and a warm touch of cinnamon. Perfect for dinner parties, book club gatherings, and cozy nights by the fire. Plus there’s a holiday can sale going on right now til Dec 21.
Mt. View Orchards & Grateful Vineyards
Highlighting their Seasonal Mushroom Pie — sautéed mushrooms, roasted garlic, five cheeses, peppery arugula, and a bright wedge of lemon to revive your wintery soul. Pair it with their estate sparkling Riesling.
Sushi Okalani
A new special is rolling in: the Rollover Maki, filled with spicy tuna and topped with pepper-seared ahi marinated in poke sauce. Plus a new sake: Hatsumago (“First Grandchild”), an earthy Kimoto-style sake from Yamagata.
Riverside Hood River (Best Western Plus Hood River Inn)
Christmas Dinner reservations are now open! Expect a holiday-themed dining room, warm service, and a special menu dropping this weekend.
Édeske Patisserie
Catch them at two holiday markets:
• Idiot’s Grace Winery Holiday Market, Mosier — Sunday, Dec. 14, 1–4 pm
• pFriem Family Brewers Maker’s Market, Hood River waterfront — Thursday, Dec. 18, 5:30–7:30 pm.
Édeske’s Holiday dessert preorder list is coming soon — stay tuned!
Henni’s Kitchen & Bar
New Year’s Eve reservations are open (text 509-493-1555). Their Season of Giving food-bank raffle runs until December 20.
Love & Hominy Tacos
A heads-up: they’ll be closed in January and February. Their last day of 2025 is December 23. Let’s get in for worldly tacos and ‘ritas while we can!
Domaine Pouillon
Saturday Suppers have returned at the Wine Bistro in Lyle. Expect comforting dishes like “Sicilian Christmas” sciabbo with creamy polenta, “Winter Forager” fettuccine with kale-walnut pesto and wild mushrooms, and spaghetti + house-made sausage meatballs in slow-simmered marinara.
Pearl’s Place
Stop by for Hot Cider, Christmas Trees, and a visit from Santa this Saturday, 10–4. And yes — Gorge Glaciers are still being served!
Hiyu Wine Farm
Offering five-course lunches Saturdays and Sundays from 12–2 pm. Saturday dinners will return in March. Private experiences available: visit@hiyuwinefarm.com.
Pine Street Bakery
Christmas Preorders are live and they are offering Brioche pull-apart rolls, All Butter Pie Crust (2-packs), Quick bread loaves (two flavors), Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Brown Butter Maple Glaze, and Chocolate Hazelnut Babka.
Pickup: Tues, Dec. 23, 9–3; Christmas Eve (Dec. 24), 9–12. Email info@pinestreetbakery.com or visit the bakery to order.
Full Sail Brewing
A new Cheesesteak Sandwich has hit the menu: thinly sliced roast beef in rosemary consommé, topped with provolone, Mama’s Lil Peppers, sweet caramelized onion, and chimichurri aioli on a toasted French roll.
Most folks are closed on Christmas Day; however, do check in with your favorite restaurants and food makers for their latest holiday schedule. For New Year’s, it’s a mixed bag, but one thing’s for sure:
Double Mountain Brewery will be open til Midnight NYE, and open New Year’s Day with regular hours. They will be closed on Dec. 16 as they prepare and hold their staff holiday party.
Community Food Support
If you or someone you know needs food support this season, the Columbia Gorge Food Bank is here to help. The Columbia Gorge Food Bank is a distribution hub for pantries across Sherman, Wasco, and Hood River counties. Find pantry hours and locations at foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org.
Also, the Fish Food Bank has posted its holiday hours and locations on its website. Bring donations to 1130 Tucker Road in Hood River between 7:30 am and 11 am (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). Or use their donation bin any time for your non-perishable items - it's on the front "porch" under the Lions sign.